Exploring Extraverted Sensing (Se)

Extraverted Sensing, or Se, is one of the eight cognitive functions laid out by Carl Jung. The cognitive functions are the basic building blocks for each of the 16 personality types. Exploring Extraverted Sensing (Se) is the fifth installment of this series. If you want to read the previous ones, check out Exploring Extraverted Intuition (Ne), Exploring Extraverted Feeling (Fe), Exploring Introverted Sensing (Si), and Exploring Extraverted Thinking (Te). We’re hoping to complete this series within the next few months, but we’ll see what happens. We’re also referencing Carl Jung’s Psychological Types as we work through this. The aim is to provide a realistic picture of each cognitive function, that covers both the core underlying rational and possible external manifestations.

Who uses Extraverted Sensing?

Every personality type has a cognitive function stack made up of only four cognitive functions. In other words, since there are eight functions in total, only half of the 16 personality types have Se, namely the SPs and the NJs. However, with that in mind, the NJs often devalue Se, since it is either in the third or fourth slot of their function stack. (Their Introverted Intuition, or Ni, often overrules their Se.) Therefore, this article primarily applies to the SP types, which are ESTP, ESFP, ISTP, and ISFP.

The SP types will be the ones prioritizing Se, and thus will lean on it heavily in their daily lives. They will have the greatest range of use for the function, in both the positive and negative directions, although they will be the most apt of all the types to use it in a healthy, and positive way.

The Core of Extraverted Sensing

Extraverted Sensing, or Se, is an extraverted perceiving function based on sensing. Extraverted functions in typology are objective, which means externally focused. (Read more here: Objectivity vs. Subjectivity) In other words, SPs prioritize observing and interacting with objective reality.

10 Characteristics of Extraverted Sensing

Bear in mind, that some of the information below will describe core cognition, while other parts will describe common behavioral trends. You don’t have to relate to everything 100% in order to be an SP.

1. SPs prioritize on objective reality

SPs, due to Extraverted Sensing, see reality, or the objects in reality, for what they are. Before I go any further, bear in mind that other types can be realistic, and it is possible for SPs to see reality through a lens, depending on other factors. We are all capable of things like nostalgia or framing. However, while many personality types attach impressions to objects and see the object for the impression, SPs do not do this to a significant degree. For the most part, they will see the object exactly for what it is, without bias from previous experiences with that same object. This is why SPs are often known for their realism or practicality. They don’t, by default, want to read too far into things; they want to accept and rely on the data that their senses deliver to them. In fact, these types may get irritated with people who do read too far into things.

2. SPs treat experiences as if they are new

Due to the way they interact with reality, SPs approach experiences in an open-minded way. They don’t assume an experience with the same object or person will go the exact same way as it did before. They’re willing to give experiences multiple chances. Sure, it may not have worked out the first time, but this time is different. This is the direct result of not constantly comparing current experiences to past experiences, like the SJs do. While this obviously can have its advantages (like giving situations a second chance or letting go of the past quicker than others might), it can also have its downsides. For instance, SPs are more likely to repeat the same mistakes multiple times, because they aren’t actively valuing past experiences. They may see every little detail in the moment, but they often quickly forget these once the moment passes.

3. SPs desire a wide range of experiences

SPs want to continually experience life and stimulate their senses. As Jung puts it, their “aim is concrete enjoyment.” These types are not specifically looking to recreate experiences, although that’s not to say that they’ll never want to repeat experiences that they found to be exceptionally stimulating. As a general rule, though, they will not fixate on recreating something they’ve experienced before. New experiences are more exciting and enjoyable to the SP. Bear in mind, these new experiences don’t have to be extreme. Unfortunately, Extraverted Sensing has been overly associated with adrenaline junkies and extreme sports. Many SPs are not actually that extreme, for a variety of reasons. For instance, SPs can feel fear like anyone else, and activities like skydiving can cost a lot of money. However, you’ll tend to find that SPs will generally be the ones that need to do something. They’ll want to try out new activities, check out a new restaurant, test out every coffee shop in their area, etc.

4. SPs are present-oriented

The reason for this ultimately ties back to their objective approach to reality. If someone isn’t fixating on a past impression of an object and isn’t reading too far into the object, meaning it’s potential, then naturally they’re only seeing what it is in that very moment. For an SP, that is their default approach to life. They see what is happening right now. Many people frame this as short-sightedness, and it certainly can manifest that way. However, the value of Extraverted Sensing lies in this ability because SPs can prevent themselves from becoming burdened by what has happened or what will happen. They can merge completely with the moment, and concentrate on doing what they need to do to survive today. This outlook can allow them to maintain an optimistic frame of mind, and enjoy life to its fullest.

5. SPs excel at adapting to new situations

Someone who often seeks out new experiences will naturally develop an affinity for adapting to a variety of situations. Think of it like practice makes perfect. Any personality can learn to be adaptable, but many SPs are geared towards becoming that way due to the way their mind works. Although, it’s worth mentioning that dominant Se users will find this easier than auxiliary Se users. The ISPs may drop back into an observer role initially before engaging their Se, whereas the ESPs may jump in faster. Either way, their focus on objective reality will help them take stock of the new situation and figure out how to react quickly, since they don’t feel compelled to read into it too deeply or over-analyze the situation.

6. SPs follow their instincts

Part of what helps SPs to respond in the moment is their reliance on their instincts. SPs have lower Ni, which deals in subconscious pattern recognition. Earlier, I mentioned that SPs often notice the details and then quickly forget them. In reality, these details are not completely lost, but they are condensed into a vague impression via Ni. SPs often don’t use Ni in a very active way, but it helps them get quick glimpses into possible outcomes or futures. In the moment, this can manifest as a sudden hunch or gut instinct concerning how they should respond to a situation. The confident SP will trust these hunches and follow their instincts, allowing them to respond quickly and decisively when necessary.

7. SPs are prone to impulsive behavior

We all know the stereotype of the overly-indulgent and insanely impulsive ESFP or ESTP. They’re known for chasing every reckless, physical urge, with no self-restraint or fear of consequence. For the record, not every SP is this extreme, although some are. However, SPs do tend to leap before they look, without fully considering the consequences. (Bear in mind, self-confidence can be a major factor here. The SP that lacks confidence may overthink things more.) This doesn’t always have to manifest in an extreme way, but it should have a prominent place in their life. For instance, it’s fairly well known that most SPs are physically reactive, albeit to varying degrees. Beyond that, SPs may make sudden decisions, seemingly on a whim. They may get the urge to chase a new experience, or they feel external forces pressuring them to respond to something right now. Some SPs will delay thinking consciously about a future decision, and make it solely when the moment arrives, based on instincts and any subconscious background processing their brain had been doing up until that point.

8. SPs may fear the future or avoid thinking about it all

This will be especially the case for inferior Ni in the ESPs, but generally speaking, ISPs and ESPs tend to avoid overthinking the future, partly because it allows them to maintain an optimistic outlook and enjoy the present. Sometimes dwelling too much on Ni provokes paranoia, possibly due to SPs feeling incapable of using it to predict the future accurately. They may see some looming catastrophe up ahead, or fear they will never get their act together. Of course, a balanced SP can learn to use Ni as a guide to navigate toward a specific, ideal future outcome.

9. SPs, due to Extraverted Sensing, value hands-on experience

Because SPs specifically want to interact with the world through their senses, they often learn best through hands-on means. These personality types like to physically touch everything, play around with stuff, and experiment so that they can learn the cause and effect of different actions. They may struggle to absorb lectures, until they can see the “theory” applied to “reality”. This approach can make them prone to making mistakes or breaking things initially, but overtime, it can make them confident in their ability to learn new skills or respond to new situations. Although, it’s worth mentioning that many SPs are interested in activities that are not solely physical, but the same general idea will apply. For instance, a computer-related task will still be approached in a trial and error manner, as if it were a hands-on task.

10. SPs are action-oriented

SPs get a bad rap for being incapable of theorizing, which absolutely isn’t true. However, they do feel an innate need to apply theory to the real world. Just listening to theory for the sake of it, theory that has no practical application, can quickly bore them. Sure, SPs can get involved in an online fandom, enjoy video games, and etcetera as a form of entertainment. However, generally speaking, these are the types that often get impatient when people are throwing around ideas, because they want to get right into the action. SPs don’t want to sit around and discuss possibilities or strategies for forever, unless the situation really demands it. Let’s do the thing, and not just talk about doing it. For similar reasons, SPs frequently prefer to socialize via activity (which can be as mundane as a board game. As long as it’s something.)